fire roasted chile & garlic chicken burgers

One of my favorite parts of my “job” is coming up with original recipes inspired by a particular ingredient. I love starting with that one ingredient in mind, keeping it there for a few days or weeks, waiting until the rest of the ingredients come to the surface and a new recipe is born. Even better is when it turns out this well and it’s this easy.

I do quite a bit of work with Momversation, and it’s through them that this assignment for Lawry’s arrived in my inbox. They sent a box with five different new marinades and spice mixtures and asked that I use one of the five to create a new recipe.

My first thought was, it’s barbecue season!! Which put a huge smile on my face because it’s THISCLOSE to being summer! Kids out of school, hanging out at the pool, my HS reunion, visiting my parents and we’re taking the girls on a Disney cruise!! Then I came back from daydreaming and decided to make some delicious chicken burgers, a simple zucchini gratin and margaritas. Which is pretty nice thing to wake up to, if I do say so myself.

I’d bought a big ol’ pack of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. My original plan was to marinate the thighs in the Santa Fe Chili marinade, wipe off the excess and grind the meat from there. At the last minute I thought, why wait even the 30 minutes to marinate when I can just use the Chile & Garlic spice mixture? I’m so glad I did it that way because I could just toss all the ingredients into my food processer, form my chicken patties and toss them on the barbecue whenever we were ready to go.

And then…we had a leak in our propane line! aaarrgghh! So, off to plan B. I pulled out my grill pan, got it nice and screaming hot, and made do with having to cook them inside. They turned out great! I was really happy with them. The key is to buy chicken thighs and grind them yourself instead of pre-ground chicken. This way you know there are no fillers in there and it’s just all meat! You could certainly use chicken breasts, too, but I prefer thighs since they stay nice and moist. I do the same with beef; when a good cut is on sale I’ll pick some up and grind it into some amazing tasting burgers! It only takes an extra step and the result is more than worth it. I also added two slices of raw bacon to the ground chicken for added flavor and to make sure they stayed really moist; you could skip this if you’re using thighs (although I suggest keeping it in – it’s pretty delish :)

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

Lawry’s is also generously giving away a “Dinnertising Kit” which includes:

To enter, head over to Dinnertising and create a Dinnertisement! It took me about a minute to create mine! Once it’s over, click the red “url” button which immediately copies your specific link – then just paste that link in the comments section on this post. That’s it! And if you’d like even more entries, feel free to enter below {you must first create a Dinnertisement for your extra entries to count}.

Fire Roasted Chile & Garlic Chicken Burgers

I topped our chicken burgers with caramelized onions, green leaf lettuce, sliced heirloom tomatoes and a mexican-blend cheese. The meat was so flavorful and juicy that no condiments were necessary.

If you don’t have a grill or grill pan, I highly suggest using stainless steel. Non-stick won’t allow you to cook at the high heat necessary to make a browned crust on the burger, which is essential for adding flavor.

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1/2 jalapeno, seeded (leave in the seeds if you like it spicy)

1/2 cup cilantro

2 slices uncooked bacon, chopped

1 T Lawry’s Fire Roasted Chile & Garlic spice mixture

2 T olive oil

Add all ingredients to food processor; pulse just until ground. It will form a ball when it’s ready; don’t over process!

Form into four large patties. Cook immediately or place in fridge until ready.

Grill over med-high heat, turning only once when first side is well-browned. Once flipped, cover to make sure that patties cook completely through.

Place on toasted buns with desired toppings and serve immediately.

For some reason I can’t seem to figure out, the printing function isn’t working on this post. My apologies and I’ll try to get it fixed shortly!

About Kristy Bernardo

On paper, I'm a chef, recipe developer and food & travel writer. In real life, I'm constantly obsessing over my love of food and new recipes and am on a lifelong quest for the perfect cocktail. I love good friends, margaritas and my beautiful daughters above all else (with blog readers coming in at a close second). I believe that hard work and grit always pay off and that a positive attitude will take you everywhere.

Thank you stopping by Kristy at my website. I love the recipe......I agree with grinding the thighs, they come out so much more moist.I want to enter the dinnertisment, but do I have to video record? I didn't see any other option.

Of course, Minnie! Happy to do so!No video recording necessary. When you click the "Dinnertising" link, don't click on anything on the left. Click on the "Create your own Dinnertisement Now" that's right next to the TV that says "Tired of Boring Food?" Then you just have to click each choice (three total). It should only take a minute. Let me know if you still get stuck!

Oh my goodness, Kristy. YUM-O. My grill gets use all year - I remember living in Minnesota, being out in my snow boots and parka, during the winter...the neighbors thought I was crazy. Thank goodness, though, I don't ever have to contend with those harsh winters anymore. Totally making these.

I wish I'd been your neighbor; I would have made us a couple of hot toddies and been right out there with you! I grew up in WI and that's how a couple of die hards I know still are. My parents "grill out" (that's what they say there, not "barbecue" - took me a long time to change my lingo!) when it's pretty darn cold out, too!

I love Lawry's. I wish they sold their stuff in Australia. Every time I get back to the states I bring 2 jumbo containers of seasoning salt. I get two because some American always begs me for one. :)I love your chicken burger. Those onions on top look amazing and I can only imagine what the spice mixture adds to it. Yum!

I thought and thought and then thought some more. Another award couldn't really ahrm you, right? So I went ahead and nominated you for Award of Excellence in Storytelling at Foodstories (I think you might have already been nominated before, but what the heck...read line 1.)
I posted about you in my past and here's the link:
http://www.thelady8home.com/2012/05/23/i-am-a-food-stories-nominee-for-excellence-in-storytelling/
Thanks so much for all the inspiration you bring into my life.

Good pictures - burgers aren't the easiest subject, at least IMO. When I grind chicken, I always like to use the thighs too - much more flavor! And a bit cheaper. Good use of packaged ingredients in this recipe - it sounds pretty tasty. Thanks for this.

Hi, I’m Kristy. Thanks for stopping by!

On paper, I'm a chef, recipe developer and food & travel writer. In real life, I'm constantly obsessing over my love of food and new recipes and am on a lifelong quest for the perfect cocktail. I love good friends, margaritas and my beautiful daughters above all else (with blog readers coming in at a close second). I believe that hard work and grit always pay off and that a positive attitude will take you everywhere.